Common spindle bush is also known as common spindle tree. It is a poisonous medicinal plant whose components are used only in homeopathic medicines and externally as an ointment.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common spindle bush.
Common spindle bush is a poisonous medicinal plant, the components of which are used only in homeopathic medicines and externally as an ointment. The scientific name is Euonymus europaeus. The common spindle bush belongs to the spindle tree family (Celastraceae). Under the name common spindle tree, the shrubby plant was chosen as the poisonous plant of the year in 2006. The bulky, widely branched shrub can reach heights of up to three meters. As a small tree, it can also grow six meters tall. The deciduous, upright and widely branched shrub has blunt, square branches in cross-section that have gray-brown bark. The switchgrass bears borne-dolled inflorescences with an inflorescence shaft one to three inches long. Each inflorescence contains two to six, sometimes nine, single, bright pink flowers. Common spindlebush is also known as common priest’s-hood because the capsule fruit resembles the headdress worn by Catholic clergymen, the biretta. It grows in shrubberies, along woodsides and roadsides, or as an ornamental plant in gardens on nutrient-rich clay soils. The genus name Euonymus is a plant name derived from both the Greek and Latin languages, meaning “good” and “standing in good repute.” This name is probably meant ironically, because the poisonous effects of the spindle bush were already known in ancient times. The name spindle bush comes from the type of wood that can also be used well for turning.
Effect and application
Common spindle bush has diuretic, cardiotonic, wound-healing, antiviral (herpes zoster, herpes simplex), diuretic (diuretic), acaricite (miticidal) and laxative effects. The plant is effective against headaches, liver damage, sore muscles, indigestion, gall problems, closed shin wounds, scabies, lice, and heart failure. Homeopathy uses the poisonous medicinal plant in potentized medicines for headaches due to liver damage, liver and pancreas complaints, bladder irritation and bile problems (strong cholagogue). These medicines are used under the scientific name Euonymus europaea in the form of globules in the potency C12. In this potentized dilution homeopathic medicines are safe. In the seeds there are steroid glycosides (cardenolides), digitoxigenin, cardiac glycosides, triacetin, dyes, fatty oil, and the alkaloids caffeine, evonine and theobromine. Because of its constituents, common spindle bush has digitalis-like effects: it increases the contractile force of the heart “positively inotropic,” decreases the heartbeat rate “negatively chronotropic,” slows or impedes conduction of excitation “negatively domotropic,” and lowers the threshold of excitation “positively bathmotropic.” In the bark there are bitter substances, phlobaphenes and tannins. The leaves contain triterpenes. The fruits form fatty oil, which is processed into ointments. In folk medicine, the common spindle tree was prepared as a tea from the leaves for headaches. A tea made from the bark is diuretic and rids the body of toxins. However, these remarks are only of historical interest, since internal use is no longer allowed due to the highly toxic plant action. The common spindle bush was also used against dropsy. These types of application go back to the famous scholar from the Middle Ages, Hildegard von Bingen. Exclusively expert herbalists used this remedy. Homeopathy offers good alternatives to the poisonous common peony. Aconitum napellus for headaches, Lycopodium clavatum for liver weakness, Carminativum, Hevert Digesto, Nux vomica, Magnesium chloratum, Colocynthis, Carbo vegetabilis, as well as Hepar-Hevert for various types of biliary complaints and dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
All parts of the plant of the common spindle tree are poisonous, so they should not be used in an unprocessed, natural way, but only in the form of finished preparations or homeopathic medicines. Consumption of the plant parts, especially the seeds and fruits, cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The concentration of toxic ingredients is particularly high there. The consumption of about 36 fruits is described as a lethal dose, although the size, weight and state of health of the affected person must be taken into account. In a child, as few as two seeds are sufficient to cause severe toxic manifestations. The common spindle bush should not be underestimated, which when consumed can also cause kidney damage, drowsiness, circulatory collapse and liver swelling. In the worst case, consumption of the plant parts is fatal if cardiac arrhythmias (arrhythmias), paralysis of the masseter muscles and respiratory tract, and shock conditions develop. The latency period is up to 18 hours, within which the previously mentioned symptoms may occur. The toxic effect is mainly due to the cardiac glycosides, which used to be used in conventional medicine against heart complaints, but nowadays have been replaced by foxglove preparations (digitalis). The ingredient Evonin unfolds insecticidal active substances and can be used as a powder against vermin, but this must not be inhaled under any circumstances. First aid measures include inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal. Large amounts of warm tea and laxatives can also prevent the toxic substances from entering the bloodstream. The general rule is to keep the patient warm and calm. Exercise is the wrong remedy because it stimulates the circulation and thus spreads the toxic substances more quickly. In the hospital, the doctor performs gastric lavage, administers potassium permanganate, sodium sulfate and electrolyte substitution. If there is hyperacidity (acidosis), sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) will help if the acidity is below a mean of 7.35 (0 to 14). Mucilaginosa reduces irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, and benzodiazepines and barbiturates counteract spasms. For shock, the sedative diazepam is administered intravenously. Respiratory and renal function are monitored. In cases of respiratory depression or paralysis of the respiratory organs, artificial respiratory support is given.
